SynthMaster 3 Player vs HALion Sonic Play
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SynthMaster 3 Player
This music app allows users to play and tweak a vast library of synthesizer presets. It offers a multi-layer architecture and extensive expansion content for diverse sound design possibilities. Users can easily browse and preview sounds before loading them.
- Tweak existing synthesizer presets
- Multi-layer architecture (up to 16 layers)
- Edit keyboard zones, velocity, voicing, unison, arpeggiator, FX
- Compatible with SynthMaster expansion banks
- In-app shop for purchasing expansions
- Preset previews with audio playback
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SynthMaster 3 Player iOS is the mobile player version of KV331 Audio's flagship synthesizer SynthMaster 3. It is tailored towards user who prefer tweaking existing presets over designing sounds from scratch. It is available for free on Apple AppStore as a standalone app and AUv3 plugin. Free Factory Content: SynthMaster 3 Player iOS comes with 200 presets curated from SynthMaster One, SynthMaster 2 and SynthMaster 3 factory libraries. Once users complete registration, the number of free presets increase to 500. Rich Expansion Content: SynthMaster 3 Player iOS is compatible with SynthMaster One, SynthMaster 2 and SynthMaster 3 expansions. There are currently 60 expansion banks for a wide range of genres to choose from. Users can easily purchase these expansions through the In-App Shop inside the app. Much more than a ROMpler synth: Although users can not edit layer modules and modulation sources, they can edit all other layer parts such as keyboard zones, velocity zones, voicing, unison, arpeggiator, sequencer and insert FX. Multi-layer Architecture: Each SynthMaster 3 Player iOS instance can have up to 16 layers. Users can add new layers by loading existing presets into layers through the preset browser. Preset Previews: Presets in SynthMaster 3 Player iOS have built-in previews. Users can listen to the previews of presets after turning on the preview mode. In-App Shop: Users can easily purchase expansion banks as in-app-purchases.
HALion Sonic Play
This mobile workstation instrument app provides over 2,000 sounds for iPhone and iPad. It's designed for quick sound shaping and seamless integration with AUv3-compatible DAWs, allowing for fast creation of professional tracks anywhere.
- Over 2,000 instrument sounds
- AUv3 integration
- Standalone use
- Quick Controls for sound shaping
- Arpeggiator
- ADSR controls
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Your go-to workstation instrument app for iPhone, iPad, and every AUv3-compatible mobile DAW HALion Sonic Play for iPhone and iPad brings the spirit of a full-blown workstation to your mobile setup; packed with more than 2,000 exceptional instrument sounds spanning every genre. From modern synths and punchy basses to expressive keys, pads, leads, and beyond, HALion Sonic Play is built to help you create finished, professional tracks fast — wherever inspiration hits. Whether you’re sketching ideas on the couch, building beats on the train, or polishing a full arrangement in the studio, HALion Sonic Play fits right in. Use it standalone for instant playability, or run it inside Cubasis and any AUv3-compatible DAW on iPhone and iPad for a seamless production workflow. - Your workstation instrument for iPhone, iPad, and every AUv3-compatible mobile DAW - More than 2,000 inspiring instrument sounds — ready for every genre - Quick Controls to shape and tweak sounds in seconds — no deep diving - Arpeggiator for instant motion, rhythm, and modern patterns - Quick ADSR controls for precise, musical envelope control - Works standalone or inside Cubasis and any AUv3-compatible DAW on iPhone and iPad Your sound, always within reach HALion Sonic Play is designed for speed, creativity, and great sound from the very first tap. Open the app and you’re immediately surrounded by a huge range of playable instruments, which can take you from a simple idea to a fully produced track in no time. Need movement? The arpeggiator brings instant energy and groove. Want to shape a sound quickly? Quick Controls and the ADSR page let you dial in punch, softness, brightness, or bite in seconds — so you stay in the flow. Whether you’re writing hooks, building chords, crafting textures, or laying down a full arrangement, HALion Sonic Play keeps things simple, musical, and fast, with all the depth you need for when you want to go further. Take your sound anywhere, start ideas instantly, and turn inspiration into standout tracks on iPhone and iPad. Technical support https://forums.steinberg.net If you like HALion Sonic Play, please support us by rating this app in the App Store! Thank you!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SynthMaster 3 Player at Free against HALion Sonic Play's $19.99. SynthMaster 3 Player also leads on iOS requirement (15 vs 17.2). HALion Sonic Play's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 15). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
SynthMaster 3 Player is free to download; HALion Sonic Play costs $19.99 up front. SynthMaster 3 Player sells 15 one-off in-app purchases. HALion Sonic Play asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for SynthMaster 3 Player against 4.8 for HALion Sonic Play. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 55 and 45 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of SynthMaster 3 Player's written reviews are positive against 80% of HALion Sonic Play's.
| Parameter | SynthMaster 3 Player | HALion Sonic Play |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $19.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (55 ratings) | 4.8 (45 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 86.7% of reviews — better | 80.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 55 — better | 45 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15 — better | 17.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2.2 GB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | KV331 Audio | Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH |
Customer experience
SynthMaster 3 Player
HALion Sonic Play
In-app purchases
SynthMaster 3 Player
- SynthMaster 2 Expansions Bundle$2.99
- New Loops Psytrance Sounds Volume 1$2.99
- Loopsy Rave Sounds Volume 1$2.99
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- NatLife Melodic Techno Sounds Vol 1$4.99
- New Loops Cinematic Sounds Volume 1$4.99
- New Loops Synthwave Sounds Volume 1$4.99
- Luftrum 33$4.99
- Loopsy Tech House Sounds Volume 1$4.99
- Loopsy House Sounds Volume 1$4.99
- SynthMaster 2 Factory Presets$9.99
- SynthMaster 3 Factory Presets$9.99
- SynthMaster One Expansions Bundle$14.99
- SynthMaster 3 Expansions Bundle$19.99
- SynthMaster Factory Presets Bundle$24.99
- SynthMaster Everything Bundle$99.99
HALion Sonic Play
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SynthMaster 3 Player free?
Is HALion Sonic Play free?
Which has better reviews, SynthMaster 3 Player or HALion Sonic Play?
Do SynthMaster 3 Player or HALion Sonic Play have ads?
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